Location & Contact Details

Address

Mailing address

The United Nations Building is located on First Avenue between 42nd Street and 48th Street. The Visitors’ Entrance is situated on First Avenue at 46th Street.

About the United Nations Building

In New York City, one of the most visited places is United Nations Building HQ. Over 1 million people from around the world visit this place each year.

United Nations Building - UN Building - UN Headquarters (HQ)

People from different backgrounds, nationality and religion work under one roof in this place. The United Nations building has been a host to many remarkable and significant events. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was approved here in 1948. All 150 heads of state and government jointly attended the Millennium Summit in 2000.

As the UN was founded as a consequence of the Second World War, the United Nations has worked to keep up friendly relations with nations, encouraging human rights, shielding the environment or tackling illiteracy, disease and famine for the betterment of humankind.

It is interesting to note that when you enter into the United Nations building, you are in an international area. The territory does not belong to any one country because all countries represent the UN!

The UN compound has its own defense force, fire department and post office. It conducts its dealings in six official languages – Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

United Nations has six main appendages – the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice and the Secretariat. They all are based at United Nations Headquarters in New York except the Court, which has its bench at The Hague, Netherlands.

What to see at the United Nations Headquarters (UN HQ)

There are many options if you want to visit the United Nations Building.

There are free exhibits in the visitors’ entrance hall that feature graphic and multimedia displays by world prominent photographers and artists on various topics such as human rights, climate change, children in armed clash and more.

If you are interested in learning more about the work of the United Nations and its agencies, UN Speakers Bureau offers tailored lectures, video-conferences or external speaking engagements. United Nations staff members are proficient in their fields and can give an exhaustive view on any subject, such as human rights, peace and security, environmental concerns, and social development.

United Nations Building - UN Assembly

There is a Coffee Shop which is situated in the Visitors Lobby, lower level. It serves soups, salads, sandwiches and hot or cold beverages in addition to a variety of cakes, pastries, and snacks.

The UN Bookshop also situated in the lower level of the Visitors Lobby. You can find a broad range of children’s books, posters, souvenirs, language publications and dictionaries as well as latest titles published by the United Nations and by other international publishers.

In the Visitors Lobby, there is a Gift Center that sells exclusive traditional handicrafts, gifts and accessories, small United Nations flags and the flags of all Member states.

United Nations issues its own stamps and you can buy them at the United Nations Postal Administration Sales Counter. You can also make your own UN stamps with your photo taken at the tailored Stamp Shop.

The United Nations Building – Visiting hours

On weekdays, the UN Visitors Center is open from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. On weekends, it is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Guided tours are available 7 days a week: Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Saturday and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

These 45 minute tours are more like a session in intercontinental relationships. The tours are accessible year round.

How to reach United Nations Building

United Nations Building - Sculpture in the Lawn

United Nations Building By Subway

The UN Headquarters building is located in midtown Manhattan, but is on the far East side (First Av) – so it is a little walk away from most subway stations.

You can take a 4, 5, 6 or 7 train to Grand Central Station and walk to the First Avenue.

United Nations Building By Bus

Buses M15, M27, M42 or M104 will take you near the United Nations building.